Gene Watson's Peers: Ty Herndon

Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!

All of Gene's Peers who were contacted in 2007 were most gracious with their time & words. It is here, within this special part of gene-watson.com, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Ty Herndon, which he submitted to this site on Friday 26 January 2007.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Ty Herndon who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.

Gene Watson Fan Site

Ty Herndon

Ty Herndon
This quote was submitted on Friday 26 January 2007

'A monumental moment in my life was when I won a talent show at the age of fourteen singing the Gene Watson classic 'Fourteen carat mind'.

Gene Watson is one of the reasons that I love & have pursued a career in country music'.


Thank you, Ty Herndon, for your support of Gene Watson.

Gene Watson Fan Site

About Ty Herndon...


Ty Herndon, like many new country singers of the mid-1990s, has fused neo-traditionalist country with a slick, rock-oriented sense of style & production.

Born in Meridian, Mississippi & raised in Butler, Alabama Ty Herndon became involved in music as he was growing up. He sang gospel music & learned how to play piano. After he graduated from high school, he moved to Nashville. Initially, he had a difficult time gaining a foothold in the music industry, spending ten years without making any real headway.

Ty left the Music City & headed to Texas, where he began slogging it out in local honky tonks, developing a dedicated following of fans. In 1993, he won the Texas Entertainer of the Year & later that year signed to the Epic Records label.

Ty Herndon's first single, ‘What mattered most’, hit No.1 in the spring of 1995. The track won Song of the Year at the annual 'Music Row' magazine awards & Ty was named 'Best New Artist' at the 1995 Country Radio Music Awards.

Ty Herndon: 'What Mattered Most' (Epic Records, 1995)

The 'What Mattered Most' album was released on Epic Records in April of 1995 & became a Top 10 country hit. The second single, ‘I want my goodbye back’, became a No.7 hit.

Seemingly, the world was in his hands, but Ty's first year of stardom was a difficult one, as he was arrested for drug possession on 13 June 1995, in Fort Worth, Texas. Nevertheless, the arrest didn't halt his career; his third single, ‘Heart half empty’, was a hit.

Ty Herndon: 'Living in a Moment' (Epic Records, 1996) Ty Herndon: 'Big Hopes' (Epic Records, 1998) Ty Herndon: 'Steam' (Epic Records, 1999)

Ty Herndon's second album for Epic Records, ‘Living in a Moment’, debuted at No.6 upon its release in the summer of 1996. The album ‘Big Hopes’ (Epic Records) was released in 1998 & in 1999 Herndon resurfaced with ‘Steam’ (Epic Records).

Ty Herndon was certainly one of (American) country music’s most consistent radio favourites of the 1990s, receiving an American Music Award nomination in 1997 & a Contemporary Achievement honour from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Ty's 'What Mattered Most' & 'Living in a Moment' albums achieved gold status sales-wise.

During the late 1990s, Ty sold more than four million discs & his blazing live-performance style made him one of country music’s finest concert attractions.

After 2002, he vanished from radio charts & concert stages. Family, friends & Nashville songwriters rallied around him as he turned his life around, regained his health, lost his excess weight & began to sing again. Ty returned to the stage with a Music City nightclub showcase in the summer of 2004.

Ty Herndon: 'This is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits' (Epic Nashville, 2002) Ty Herndon: 'Not So Silent Night' (Riviera Entertainment, 2003) Ty Herndon: 'Right About Now' (Titan Pyramid, 2007)

Ty Herndon's impressive album discography also includes 'Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits' (Epic Nashville, 2002), 'Not So Silent Night' (Riviera Entertainment, 2003) & 'Right About Now' (Titan Pyramid, 2007).

Ty Herndon was the first country music artist signed by Titan Pyramid Records, a roster that boasts acts such as The Band, Eric Carmen, Doobie Bros., Dave Edmunds, Stray Cats, Robert Palmer, Joe Walsh, Nik Kershaw, Stephen Stills & Earth, Wind & Fire.

Gene Watson Fan Site

Gene Watson Fan Site Visit Ty Herndon's Official MySpace Site

Gene Watson Fan Site